Trial Of Chinese, Nigerian Accused Of Importing Fake Tyres Stalled
The ongoing trial of two Chinese, Tao Shen and Jing Yau arraigned by the federal government for the importation of sub-standard tyres into Nigeria before the Federal High Court in Lagos was on Monday stalled due to the non availability of an interpreter.
Base on the development, the trial judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun adjourned the case till July 5, to allow the defence produce an interpreter.
Shen, 36, and Yau, 22, are docked alongside their alleged Nigerian accomplice, Chinedu Madubuike and two companies, Sino Nig. Import and export Ltd, and Nedeca International Ltd on a four counts charge of conspiracy and importation of substandard products.
They were arraigned on March 20, and had each pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court had granted them bail in the sum of N10million each with two sureties each in like sum.
The court also ordered the two companies charged to submit a bond in the sum of N10million.
In the charge, the accused were said to have committed the offence in February (this year) by conspiring to import tyres which did not meet the relevant Nigeria industrial standard.
They were alleged to have stuffed various sizes of tyres into one, knowing same to be in a dangerous state, or been injurious to human life.
The accused were said to have imported the tyres which did not comply with the mandatory Nigeria standard, on account of their stuffing different sizes into one, thereby making the tyres to be unfit for its purpose.
The tyres were said to have failed to meet the relevant Nigerian industrial standard and likely to endanger human lives.
Again, the accused were alleged to have failed to furnish returns on the conditions of the imported tyres as required by law.
The offences are said to have contravened the provisions of sections 320 and 510 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
It is also said to have contravened the provisions of sections 26 and 32 of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria Act, No 14, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
